Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz Weston

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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uk-budget-greenest-government_233Today’s top story: How to simplify your finances in 2016. Also in the news: The questions credit carholders should be asking, what homeowners can expect in 2016, and how long different items stay on your credit report.

Four Ways To Simplify Your Finances In 2016
Making your financial life a little easier.

5 Questions Every Credit Cardholder Should Ask Once a Year
No better time to ask than the present.

9 things homeowners can expect in 2016
From higher home values to lower gas bills.

How Long Different Items Stay on Your Credit Report
How long under that late payment drops off?

How to deal with aging parents and money
Starting the conversation.

Q&A: Best savings vehicle for a baby

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Dear Liz: I recently gave birth to a little boy. I am wondering about the best savings vehicle that would offer flexibility for when family gives him money. I don’t want to tie it up in a 529 college savings plan in case he doesn’t want to go to college or has other needs.

Answer: If you want your child to have a reasonable shot at a middle-class lifestyle in the future, some kind of post-secondary education will be necessary. It may not be a four-year degree; it could be a one- or two-year training program, and a 529 college savings plan can help pay for that. Money contributed to a 529 plan grows tax-deferred and can be used tax-free at nearly all colleges, universities and community colleges as well as many career and technical schools.

You will remain in control of the account and can withdraw money for other purposes if necessary, although you would owe income taxes and a 10% federal penalty on any gains.

If you really can’t accept any limitations on how the money is used, then you can open a brokerage account in your own name and invest the money there. Putting the money in his name could hurt his chances for financial aid if he does decide to go to college.

Q&A: Authorized credit card users

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Dear Liz: I have read that only the primary cardholder is responsible for the balance on a credit card, not the authorized user (such as a spouse). When that primary cardholder dies, there is no obligation for an authorized user to pay off the balance. Is this accurate? What would prevent someone whose primary cardholder is near death from racking up purchases and then, after the primary cardholder dies, refusing to pay it?

Answer: In a community property state such as California, spouses typically are both responsible for debts incurred during the marriage. In all states, the deceased spouse’s estate would have to pay all creditors before any leftover money was doled out to survivors. So a spouse who went on such a spending binge wouldn’t come out ahead, unless the primary cardholder was broke and left no estate.

Other authorized users might have no such restraints, however. Anyone who thinks an authorized user might pull such a stunt would be smart to take that person off the card before it becomes an issue.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Last-minute tax moves to make on December 31st. Also in the news: How to tell if your financial advisor is giving you good advice, why you should consider freezing your credit reports, and the top 6 financial resolutions for the new year.

4 Last-Minute Tax Moves You Can Make on Dec. 31
Tick tock!

How To Tell If You’re Receiving Good Advice From Your Advisor
Making sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

Why you should consider freezing your credit reports
Preventing identity theft.

Top 6 financial New Year’s resolutions and how to fulfill them
Making resolutions that last.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Household-Budget1Today’s top story: Money tasks to tackle during your winter break. Also in the news: How to save thousands on a divorce, getting in the savings habit, and why your new tech toy could be a security threat.

3 Money Tasks to Tackle on Your Winter Break
Assessing the holiday damage.

Getting Divorced? 5 Ways To Save Thousands
January is the start of divorce season.

Get Into the Savings Habit by Putting Away 50% of Your Extra Income
Even if it’s just the change in your pocket.

Could Your Holiday Gift Be a Security Threat?
Hackers can’t wait to get at your new tech toys.